Motor-vehicle.



J. K. SHARPE, JR. & C. N. LEONARD. MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-.17, 1908. 929,794, Patented Aug. 3,1909.

2 SHEETS- 81E331 1.

J. K. SHARPE, JR. 6; U. N. LEONARDB MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLIUATION FILED .ATIG, 17, 1908. 929,794. Patented Aug. 3, 1909 2SHEETS-SHIIET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH K. SHARPE, JR, AND CHARLES N. LEONARD, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA;SAID LEONARD ASSIGNOR TO SAID SHARPE.

MOTOR-VEHICLE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH K. SI-IARPE, J1'., and CHARLES N. LEONARD,citizensof the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county ofMarion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is aspecification.

In operating motor vehicles over paved and unpaved roadways considerabledifficulty is experienced and many accidents occur by loss of control ofthe vehicle through skidding, as, where the roadway is inclined or inslippery or muddy condition, the tractional tread of the vehicle wheelsis insuflicient to maintain it securely in proper position, and by itsgravity the vehicle is caused to skid sidewise, this skidding movementoccurring so quickly and unexpectedly that the motorist is unabletocontrol the vehicle further than by applying the brakes to stop therotary motion of the wheels, depending upon obstructions or otherconditions to check such skidding movement. To prevent this it has beenthe practice to provide means in connection with the tires of thevehicle wheels of such character as to impart greater tractional powerthereto, but which have a tendency to injure the material composin suchtires or to affect the resiliency thereof.

The object of our present invention is to provide means for maintainingand steering the vehicle in proper position on the roadway and toprevent the skidding thereof, and which means we apply to the vehicleindependently of the tread of its wheels and without disturbing thetires thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and in whichsimilar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a sideelevation, partially insection, 011 the dotted line 1-1 in Fig. 3, of amotor vehicle, showing our invention as applied to the rear axlethereof; Fig. 2, an under plan; Fig. 3, a detail section on the dottedline 33 in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4, an enlarged detail; Fig. 5, anenlarged detail on the dotted lines 55 in Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. '6, adetail on the dotted lines 66 in Figs. 5 and 7; Fig. 7, a detail on thedotted line 7-7 in Fig. 4; Fig. 8, a detail on the dotted lines 8-8 inFigs. 5 and 6; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail showing a modifiedarrangement of our device.

In said drawings the portions marked 10 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 17, 1908.

stock by the pin, 27.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

Serial No. 448,772.

represent the vehicle body, which may be mounted on a truck of anydesired construc tion, and equipped with appropriate motor and operatingdevices. We have chosen to illustrate our invention as associated withthe rear axle, 11, and gear casing, 15, which latter we provide witharms, 16, to which is pivotally attached a bracket, 17, (Fig. 6), bymeans of the pin, 18. The lower portion, 19, of said bracket 17 isprovided with a chamber, 20, forming a stock for the reception of theshank, 25, of steering wheel, 26, said shank being pivotally mounted insaid Said bracket 17 is also provided with anarm, 28, to which ispivotally connected an operating rod, 29, com municating with anadjustable handle-bar, as 30, of any desired construction, or any otherappropriate operating means within convenient reach of the motorist. Thelower portion, 31, of said shank 25 projects outwardly, and dependingtherefrom are the arms, 32 and 33, at the lower ends of and betweenwhich arms is mounted said steering wheel 26, by means of an appropriateaxle, 34, said wheel being preferably provided with hubs, 35, to insurea stable and durable structure.

Above the projecting member 31 we provide the arms, 36, 37, which extendoutwardly from bracket 17, which arms are in alinement with an aperturedear, 35, forming a part of member 31. Through said arms 36, 37, setbolts 38, 39, are inserted, and a pin 40 is secured in ear 35, springs,41, 42, being coiled about set bolts 38, 39 and pin 40 between ear 35and collars 43, 4 1, on said bolts. The tension of said springs may beregulated by advancing them inwardly or outwardly as desired by means ofnuts 45, 4:6. It is desirable to positively limit the swivelingmovements of the steering wheel shank, and consequently the lateralturning or twisting of the steering wheel, and for this purpose theprojecting member 31 is formed at both of its rear sides, 50, 51, to actas a stop, which, when it abuts at either side against bracket portion19, prevents further swiveling in that direction. The steering wheel 26we have shown as of a disk form, with beveled edge, but which may be ofany suitable construction for the purpose, as will be readilyunderstood. This steering and anti-skidding device, as indicated in Fig.4, may be placed forward

